Erdene willow (MON/03/08)

Project Details & Results

Gobi region in Mongolia has no willow trees. If not the entire region, at least sum centres need some kinds of trees. Specially, willow trees grow rapidly. Willow trees are usually used for making some home appliences in the countryside. Therefore, project outcomes may support both nature and livelihoods in Erdenedalai sum.

The objective of the project is to practice a planting of willow seedlings in the Gobi region in order to establish a community garden in Erdenedalai sum and to contribute to mitigation of climate change effects.

Some 1000 two years old willow seedlings were planted in the stone made plot presented by the sum authority as a contribution to the project. The size of the plot was about 2 ha. Adjacent to the plot there was fencing of another 2 ha. Also 500 willow tree seedlings were planted in there. However, due to severe attack by insects in summer of 2004, about half the planted trees were dead. Some replantation efforts have been made in 2005 and would continue in 2006-2007.

The local community comprising of women and men working in shifts (day and night) in the local Hydrometeorological station work on the project.

The project outcomes will be very much in line or in support of Government's Green Wall Programme in the Gobi region. It is also an experience to grow willow trees in Gobi region. Expected results may support livelihoods of the local community.

Notable Community Participation
Weather station workers avout 14 people are taking a part in the activity.

Capacity - Building Component
It is helping to build a capacity of its local NGO through planting willows in 2 weather stations.

Gender Focus
Most of the workers are women.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
Workers are its indigenous people. And when there a planting action starts, more people will be involved.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
It will certainly raise by working and advocating among the local level people.

Project Results
About 1500 willow tree seedlings were planted in two fenced fields with a total size of 4 hectare. The survival rate was over 80 % in 2004 and the project was satisfactory completed at the end of 2004. However, due to an insect attack in summer of 2005, about half the total amount of seedlings were affected and died. Instructions have been given to continue re-plantation of more seedlins in 2006-2007 and onwards.

Tree planting in Gobi

Tree planting in Gobi desert